Fr. David Beauvais

Father David Beauvais has been a Catholic priest for over 53 years.

He is a native of Mundelein, IL. He graduated from Libertyville High School, earned a bachelor of science degree in philosophy and history from Loras College in Dubuque, IA, and completed seminary studies at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, MD. He also has a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University’s School of Social Work in Chicago.

He was ordained a priest of the Rockford Diocese on June 2, 1962, at St. James Pro-Cathedral in Rockford, Illinois.

After ordination Father Beauvais served as an assistant pastor at St. James Parish in Rockford; Holy Family Parish in Rockford, St. Patrick Parish in McHenry, and St. Mary Parish in Freeport.

After completing his master’s degree in social work, he was appointed diocesan Director of Catholic Charities (1972-82), marking the beginning of 18 years of distinguished service at the diocesan level – where he also served as Vicar for Social Ministries from 1981 to 1986, and Vicar for Finance and Administration from 1986 to 1990.

In 1990 he became pastor of St. Thomas Parish in Freeport, after which he served as chaplain at St. Anne Nursing Center and later as pastor of St. James Parish in Rockford from 1994 to 2006.

Father Dave was on the board of the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Rockford for over two decades, a member of the Priests’ Senate, and a member the Council of the Administration & Executive Committee at Boylan Central Catholic High School. He continues to serve on the board of the diocese’s Priest Wellness Committee.

In addition, he’s an active member of the civic community, continuing to serve :

on the board of the Janet Wattles Center, a mental health services agency, for the past 14 years;

on the board of Hope for Haiti, a ministry to the people of Haiti, for the past 9 years;

on the board of Family Counseling Service for the past 8 years;

on The Learning Center Capital Campaign for the past 8 years; and,

on the board of the Yeshua Catholic International Leadership Institute since its formal nonprofit incorporation a year ago.

He also continues to serve many clients as a counselor and to provide weekend and occasional weekday assistance to parishes throughout the Greater Rockford area.

Father Dave is a Facilitator for the Catholic Vision for Leading Like Jesus Encounter and has co-facilitated various Encounters -- including one for priests in the Kampala Archdiocese in Uganda.